Chanterelle Barley Risotto with Kale and Mung Beans

This week I am doing the Welfare Challenge to bring awareness to the inadequacy of welfare rates in BC. Here in our beautiful province, a person on welfare receives only $610 per month. When this is broken down and basic accommodation, phone and personal hygiene are accounted for only $18 per week is left for food. World Food Day is just around the corner on October 16th, making this a good time for us to take on the challenge and experience how difficult living off a strict food budget can be. I’m only on Day 2 and can only imagine the stress and weight that someone trying to feed themselves or a family may feel. I am fortunate enough to have the background and education to be able to make healthy and smart food choices on a budget and already I feel better equipped to help those that may not be. With the help of some foraging, this Chanterelle Barley Risotto with Kale and Mung Beans can be prepared for just under $0.45 per serving.

“Mung beans are an inexpensive source of protein, as well as dietary fibre, magnesium, potassium, zinc, folate and other B-vitamins”

Getting to spend the weekend in the magical Tofino, BC is always a treat. This time it was all about getting into the water and filling our bellies with yummy wholesome food. We did, however, take some time to forage for some fall-season delights. Chanterelles grow well in the rainy coastal climate, and despite being a popular tourist destination we managed to get quite the load in less than an hour. Chanterelles are easy to identify and have very few look-a-likes on the island – see my post Hunter Gatherer Part 1: Chanterelles for some tips on how you can forage these gems for yourself.

Sun Setting in Tofino, BC

This barley risotto is similar to my post 2 years ago Pearled Barley Risotto with Fresh Asparagus and Mushrooms which celebrated spring-time asparagus. When prepping for the Welfare Challenge I was surprised to find out that barley is much cheaper than most rice varieties, sometimes half the price! Barley has the added benefit of being a source of protein as well as beta-glucans which are known for their cholesterol-lowering ability. Paired with inexpensive kale, locally harvested wild mushrooms and earthy flavoured mung beans, this healthy well-balanced dish helped kick off the Welfare Challenge.

Chanterelle Barley Risotto with Kale and Mung Beans

By Rachel

A gourmet dish that costs as little as $0.40 per serving. Barley, mung beans and kale are all nutritious foods that don’t come with the price tag. Get creative with foraged additions and this could turn out to be a seasonal favourite.

6 Servings

Prep Time: 10 Min
Cook Time: 30 Min
Ready In: 45 Min

Ingredients for Chanterelle Barley Risotto with Kale and Mung Beans

1 tbsp. organic butter

2 cloves of garlic, minced

4 heaped cups of chanterelle mushrooms

1/2 cup mung beans, dry

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 yellow onion, diced

1 cup pot barley

1/2 cup white wine or vegetable stock*

4 cups of vegetable stock + 2 cup water

4 heaped cups of kale

salt and pepper to taste

1/8 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

*homemade stock is best, otherwise look for a good quality one with no added MSG.

Method For Chanterelle Barley Risotto with Kale and Mung Beans

Start by heating a frying pan to medium-high heat and adding the butter. Make sure the chanterelles are cleaned well, and cut into even pieces. Gently cook the garlic for 30 seconds and then add the chanterelles and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until chanterelles are cooked through. Season and set aside.

To prepare the mung beans add them to a saucepan with 1 1/2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and let simmer until cooked through, usually about 35-40 minutes.

Heat a larger saucepan or frying pan and add the olive oil on medium-high heat. Cook the onion for about 3 minutes or until it is translucent. Next, add the barley and gently fry for about 30 seconds. Now add the 1/2 cup of stock or wine and let cook until the liquid has evaporated.

Proper risotto requires only a small amount of stock or water to be added at a time and cooked down and then more added. A barley risotto is likely not going to require this step, so the rest of the stock and water can be added at once. Let simmer until all the liquid has evaporated, taste to ensure barley is cooked through.

Once the barley is cooked, add the kale, Parmesan cheese if using, cooked chanterelles and prepared mung beans. Taste and season as needed.

Make it gluten free: Use arborio rice and traditional risotto technique of adding stock 1/2 cup at a timeMake it vegan: omit the Parmesan cheese and use nutritional yeastMake it dairy free: Use oil in place of butter, omit the Parmesan cheese and use nutritional yeast

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